Who has had a homebirth? If so, how was your experience?

Latisha - posted on 10/12/2011
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Hello, My name is Latisha & I was just curious as to how many mamas had their babies @ home. My first son was delivered by c-section (it was a terrible hospital experience) & since I had a c-section, when I got pregnant with baby #2, I was told that I would have to have a repeat c-section, if I didn't go into labor naturally. I went for a second opinion because surgery was not what I wanted ( dont get me wrong, if something was seriously wrong, then take the baby, just dont schedule me to come in because you dont have the patience to wait on my body to do the work). So, I finally found my midwife, who believed in me, even when I began to doubt myself. I had my son @ home and I was in labor less than 10 hours, and I pushed for 10 minutes. It was everything I hoped for & more. I so thankful that I had the birth that I set out to get. If you ever have any doubt about your doctor, or you feel like your wants/needs are being pushed aside so the doctor can have his/her way with YOUR body, seek another doctor or midwife that will give support the birth plan you desire.

I had a horrific hospital birth with my son. Most of our complications were due to the OB who happened to be on call when I had to go in. I ended up with PTSD from it. (Remember this is just my experience. I know many others who have awesome hospital experiences.)

I had a home birth with my daughter this last April. It was the *best*! Never had to get in a car while having contractions. My body was relaxed because I was at home and not stressed out. My daughter was born in the position I felt I needed to be in, and I helped catch her myself. We were resting and she was alert, quiet, and nursed almost immediately. I was able to shower in my own shower. She was examined *after* she went into that deep sleep so that no bonding was messed with. She only received the treatments we wanted her to have. I was able to sleep in my own bed! It was so amazing and such a healing for me emotionally, that I was talking about another baby less than 2 weeks after she was born. I still smile when I talk about her birth.

Oh, and my co-workers think I'm crazy. See, I'm an RN that works in a hospital. :-)

I am currently pregnant with my ninth baby and am planning a home birth. I have had one hospital birth and seven home births. After birthing at home with my second I decided that was the only way to go! Three of my babies were water births, and the other four I labored in the water but for several reasons decided to get out of the water before they were born. I love the fact that I don't need to go anywhere and that I can relax afterwards with my baby and not have to move! And my wonderful midwives take care of everything for me! I love the fact that midwives are birthing specialists. They understand that birthing is a natural process, yet are trained to watch for problems so that they can transfer you to the hospital if necessary. I would recommend a home birth as an option for anyone - but feel that before they make any final decision they should research all options and then decide what is best for them. The key is education!

Midwives monitor heartrates at home too. Statistically there's no reduced amount of deaths from continuous monitoring as opposed to intermittent monitering via Doppler like they use in homebirths.I'd guess from stats that your friends baby would have died no matter where birth happened.It's just that it's been shown that intermittent monitering is just as safe as the continuous stuff.I'm sorry for her loss, I couldn't imagine the pain of tha, but I don't think the homebirth is the killer.

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Ashley - posted on 11/19/2011

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I can relate (minus the c-section). My 1st baby was born in the hospital with a midwife. It was very long, I stalled several times and had lots of interventions. I just had my 2nd baby 8 weeks ago at home and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I was in labor for 8 hours, pushed for 10 minutes and he was absolutely perfect and healthy. I think not having the pressure and restrictions that a hospital can put on you let's you be uninhibited and it makes a huge difference in the way you progress. So happy for you, that you not only got your vbac, but a wonderful homebirth as well.

love to hear about other ladies having home births- I myself had all three of my sons at home and Im only 22. Al three o my births ended very well, each one got little bit harder, my first was a 6 hour birth( hours hard labor,and 7 minutes pushing) My second was (8 hours, 13 minutes pushing) and ythird was a little on the rough side(28 hours labor- probably 10 hours hard labor- and he was born an hour after my water Finally broke and was a water birth baby) o blessed and if I ever have another baby- it will be in the comfort of my home, and my conditions:)

Thank you soo much! My baby is 1...its a lil early for me to be pregnant again, but God knows all. Nothing takes him by surpirse, so I know he will continue to take care of me and my family. Cant wait to find out the sex...we're praying for a girl this time! :))) I'll keep you guys posted!!! But please, keep your birth stories coming, ladies!!!

Love the stories! I'm sorry for anyone that had a terrible experience in the hospital. We have to listen to our bodies and mamas, if you feel like you're better off in the hosptial, then dont let us confuse you with our homebirth stories. :))) My husband and I just found out that we are expecting baby #3!!!!! Baby is due next July (GREAT, another HOt pregnancy LOL! But thank you God for blessing us with another life to take care of) So, so so excited!!!!

Both my births were in a hospital but were very possitive experiences. The first was a long labour but great birth. The second was a better labour and not as good birth. If we had the money, I would have loved to have a home birth, it seems like such a beauitful experience. In the end, I believe however your baby is born, you can only do the best you can with what you have and the birth is only such a short part of the babies life. I do really wish that home births were made more accessible for everyone who wants one though.

I agree with Kerry Harwell, I would have loved a home birth, but I am very lucky I chose the hospital. My first was a 38hr labour only to be rushed to surgery because my baby boy was stuck and I had an epesiottomy/forceps delivery and my little man had issues breathing when he came out because he took on fluids. My 2nd, I had an undiagnosed Accreta, after I gave birth, I was rushed to surgery where my placenta had to be manually removed and I was given a blood transfusion. My 3rd, again, after I gave birth, it was discovered I had an Incretta which landed me in ICU for 4 1/2 days after an emergency hysterectomy, clamp on my femoral artery and a 9 Unit blood transfusion plus about 15 Units of other fluids. Had I been at home giving birth, I simply would have died, as it was, the hospital rang my family as they didn't know if I was going to survive!!! I do think it is fantastic that there are so many successful home birth stories, but there are always the WHAT IF's. I know that what happened with me is rare, but if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone..... I think that hospitals are safer, this is just my opinion from my own personal experiences, and like I said, it's great to hear so many success stories.....

I am happily planning and greatly looking forward to my HBAC coming up in 6 months. I've researched and asked questions and interviewed midwives for the last two years and feel completely at peace with my decision. My midwife is very experienced and we've talked about all of the "warning signs" that will require me to transfer to the hospital (15 mins away at most). I'm happy to know that I'll have a midwife by my side that will be watching me and helping me to attain the safest possible outcome for me and my baby.

I had 3 different ones. Obgyn in hospital, midwife in hospital and midwife at home in water. This one will be at home in water too and there is no comparison. I tell everyone to at least get a midwife. Home is the best possible, I LOVED it and am looking forward to it again(I was due yesterday) The Obgyn in hospital can be a terrible experience and I feel sorry for people that choose this because they don't know their options.

I had a midwife and a planned home birth - it was awesome! Not that it wasn't painful, because it was! But it was like running a marathon: hard work and painful, but I was rewarded with a healthy baby, and the satisfaction of doing it naturally! :)

I wish every woman had a midwife deliver their babies. Then the doctors would only be called in when there is a true emergency.

I had my first three babys at the hospital and my last at home with a midwife, and I am very happy that I had the priviledge to expirience homebirth and I feel thats the way God planned it for us mothers to have our babys

yes i had my second child at home, this was back in 1984 when it was actually illegal to do.. or not permitted.. but i did it and it was the best birth i had, as i had my first in hospital and my third in hospital, all were not too bad, but it was my second that was truly the easiest and fastest...my daughter sierra was born in 10 min of pushing and around 3 hrs of labour.. i had severe back pain for about half hr. and the rest of the experience was so amazing, i will never forget it...

As I stated in my earlier post, I have had two home births. I loved it. However, so many risks. If you haven't done genealogy research. I'll give you some of what I have found. So many, many dead babies, and dead mommas as well. Walk through an old cemetery and you will see way too many babies born and died....same date. We are so very lucky to have the technology to save the lives of our children within (sometimes) seconds of their deaths. Our grandmothers had their babies at home, with no pain control, no medical intervention. Sometimes at at a cost just too great to bear. Even within hospital walls we have the right to say NO to any intervention at any time. However, if something does go wrong nurses come out of the woodwork to help us. While you may have seen your assigned nurse, in a crisis you will suddenly see 4-7 nurses for YOU and YOUR CHILD. There is really no such thing as a "low risk" birth. Because of the ever present chance of a sudden and disastrous change in circumstances. I was not a nurse when I had my children at home. Now, I have seen women walk in with a cord preceding the child, even a stat c/s may not help. I had a friend who had a low risk pregnancy, delivered at home, a dead son who looked perfect. She was so devastated that she experienced psychological paralysis that lasted for more than 6 months. I delivered a beautiful little girl, at home, a week later. I was so lucky. Even when everything looks great for a home birth, and it usually IS fine. Do YOU want to be the one burying your baby? Compared to this, is a hospital birth really so bad?

Love this, I chose to have all three in a hospital because we live so far away. But I have a great doctor that is non-interventional and a doula. In industrialized countries with high home birth rates, the maternal and infant mortality rates are lower then here in the US. That alone is a strong arguement for homebirths. Congrats on all the homebirths its definately something I would have liked to do!

I did alot of research about home births when I found out I was pregnant for the first time (23 yrs. ago). I have had seven home births, they were all different but they were all wonderful. I had midwives for my first and they were wonderful. Do to legal issues at the time I couldn't have midwives with my second child so I invited a friend to help, my stepchildren and my husband were there as well. Things went so well that I did all the rest with different friends at home. What a learning experience for the older children and a great chance for dad to participate by being there to catch the baby and cut the cord. It was such a great success that the local educational tv station made it part of a pregnancy series they were doing. I would recommend everyone educate themselves and see if it is right for them and their family. All sorts of things in life are scary but they become less scary when we are educated.

All 3 of my sons were born at home. The first one was almost born on the steps going down to get in the car to go to the hospital. He was actually born in the passenger seat of a Triumph TR3 sports car with my head hanging out of the driver's side and my legs hanging out of the passenger side and my back uncomfortably straddled over the gear shift sticks.

We had a prepaid Kaiser plan which was "rooming in" and after arriving at the hospital I was told that my son was "contaminated" by one of the doctors. I thought something had happened to him from when we were separated in the emergency room. As it turned out the term was being used to infer that he wasn't born in the hospital. We had paid for 3 days but I was dismissed from the hospital the next day and Kaiser never refunded our money. The whole episode turned me against hospital births and because my labor was so easy the first time, I decided to go with a midwife the 2nd time around.

The second birth was even faster and easier. So for the 3rd time we simply asked a friend who had had all of her children at come to come and assist.

My third labor lasted about 20 minutes. Just enough time to walk home from the neighbor's where we were having dinner, make the bed and lay down. The neighbor who was supposed to be there didn't arrive until about 1/2 hour after my third son was born. He was delivered by his father and oldest brother.

Do be advised that we had an emergency birth book on hand for the 3rd birth We had already sterilized the sheets and had them packed away 2 weeks before the due date. All that had to be sterilized at the last minutes was the string and scissors used to tie off and cut the chord. I had rubber sheeting to place under the sterilized sheets and over the sheets so that the bed did not have to be remade once the baby and I were cleaned up.

None of my labors were painful and I didn't have yo do any pushing as they simply slipped out.

I recognize that I am blessed and probably that my births were exceptional easy, but I do always encourage others to do home births.

With the first birth I had taken Lamaze classes, but with the second we just had sessions with the mid-wife. The third was born with the chord wrapped around his neck, but my husband grabbed the emergency book and did just fine on his own.

For your first home birth I would definitely encourage you to seek the assistance of a mid-wife.

I wouldn't have changed my experiences...even the first one in the car, for any other!

I don't know which person made the comment about doctors studying birth and knowing all of the possible options available to mothers/babies during delivery ... and how could the mothers POSSIBLY know all of the options. My only comment there is: Are doctors TRULY "all-knowing"? Are they smarter than a mother can be? A physician can easily be profit-driven ... opposed to most mothers being love-driven. Nine months is a pretty long period of time to study ONE area of expertise - and I can promise you, a woman who is determined to have THE very best for her child can absorb a LOT of information within that time frame!

Congrats! I had a wonderful water home birth in nov 2008. Now I am planning another with with baby number two who is due in feb. I strongly believe that when the momma is in a familiar, comfortable environment, then nature can take its course wonderfully.

My 1st child I had at hospital and it was a horrible experience. When I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd I demanded a different midwife who could smile (my other wouldn't smile so there was no nice conversation to follow) the midwife I got said about a homebirth, I was very nervous but thought he can't be any worse than the hospital. My son ended up born in the bathroom, he came that fast the midwives didn't even make it on time. To those of you considering a homebirth....GO FOR IT!!! Even without my midwife there when my son was born I was absolutely fine (obviously in pain but got to do it to get my baby) :-) the midwives turned up 15mins after and there was my son and I peacefully sat together....perfect for me. If I have another I'd do homebirth everytime x xx

I had a home birth with my last child. Of course, I hadn't intended for him to be born at home but he had other plans and decided to let me know at the last minute. Even though it wasn't planned there was a sense of comfort being at home and I wish I would have considered it for my other children. My midwives were my 3 year old daughter and my dog. They were great under the circumstances. My husband missed it by about 2 minutes. Everyone asks if me I knew I was in labor and honestly, no I didn't. I had exactly four contractions within about 5 minutes of each other and his head was crowning. I'm not sure when I broke my bag of water, possibly in the shower, but there was no gush and really no mess. Jarrett was coming, ready or not, he was as independent then as he is now at 4 years old. No help required. :-)

We're expecting our 8th child and it will be our 5th home birth. The first three were born in the hospital and I had great experiences with them. My pregnancies and labors were fairly easy and uncomplicated, but my husband (who was born at home) really wanted to be the one to bring his kids into the world. So, for the last 4, it's just been the two of us. I push, he catches! I would never tell anyone to have babies at home, just because every woman and her body are different, and it's such a personal choice. But for us, with the liberty and blessings of the Lord, we have had four wonderful home birth experiences!

I am so glad that you trusted your body! It is amazing to have home births! I've had 3 at home :) one birth center & 1 hospital (before I knew better) ~ oh an try water birth next time! Even more amazing :)

Although some years ago now (20)I had my first baby at home. For me it was a heart felt decision and wonderful experience. I had the same midwife for baby 2 the outcome was a prolonged labour( but still thankful to have been at home for that ) and hospital transfer ( not a wonderful experience) but another healthy baby. Baby 3 was with a different midwife, I just loved her care, support and friendship, she was excellent, I had a very good and successful home delivery. For me homebirths was my preferred option, I am in awe of the human body and how amazing it is if we just have faith in the whole birthing process. Rhonda

Hi there I have a similiar story as my first daughter was born by C-section at 38 weeks due to concerns voiced by our OBGYN at that time. I was so trusting of him and his care of me that I had no idea that he could possible be fabricating problems in order to convince me to have a C-section. Only after he started pressuring me for a C-section with my second baby, did I go out to find a second medical opinion as I was determined to have a natural birth. I even sought a third and fourth as I really needed to be certain of myself but, in the end, a kind, generous, sweet, heaven-sent doctor allowed my dreams to come true by affording me the opportunity to have a drug free, natural birth which lasted all of four hours and two pushes later my second daughter was in my arms. CHECK the C rate of your doctor and hospital, get a second opinion, know its possible and make sure you get what you want, its your birth right ;) !

I had a home birth with midwives,a doula, and my hubby. It was an incredible experience. It was intimate, extremely comforting to be at home, and the most empowering moment of my life. My husband and i are much closer because of the experience as well.

I think home births are great but just make sire you are aware of the things that could go wrong. I don't want to scare anyone thinking about it but I knew someone who was having a home birth but in the process the baby died which could have been avoided if she had monitors on her to detect the babies heart beat that they put on you in the hospital. I don't want to say that home births aren't the right thing to do but I think I would rather know that my baby was safe with all the technology at a hospital then worrying about how comfortable I would be. Just my opinion because I know someone who had a bad experience.

I'm so happy you got the birth you wanted! Home birth is not for everyone but I'm glad that you are out here telling your story and letting other women know there are other ways and don't just take your dr's words for because they truth is they aren't even practicing fact based health care. I'm planning my first home birth this next year no horrible hospital experience I just thought their had to be a better way then layed up in a bed strapped to monitors with a painful IV

I had my five boys at home with a midwife on the first one. My labors are so quick that the second midwife could not arrive in time (35 minutes from first sign of beginning labor to birth). Because birthing is such a natural process for my body, my husband and I delivered the last 4. My husband was out of town on #4 and I delivered him myself. I definitely would not recommend not using a midwife to others. We did a lot of research and our field of expertise is alternative health care. I love the birthing process and being pregnant!

I have had four births. My fourth was born at home and I too can testify of just how wonderful it was to listen to my body and respond to its promtings, not the opinions of "professionals". It was an empowering experience that strengthened my husband and I's relationship and encouraged the women who were there to witness. Some had also had homebirths and some had no children yet. What I loved experiencing with my fourth birth was that through the labor I focused on concentrated breathing during the contractions and not trying to push. Finally I KNEW it was time to push when my body started doing it for me! I then joined in with my body and my daughter was born after pushing during two contractions. I have to say that it is so important to get possitive information on home birth and if you are having a healthy pregnancy than it should one of the most memorable experiences of your life not the most terrible.

Melody, we do the same thing about the spot in the living room where our daughter was born! She will set something down on the coffee table now on that spot and say "sorry, my head! I put my toy on you!"

I have never been a fan of hospitals so my first child was a water birth with a midwife at a birthing center. For my second child, the birth center was being remodeled so we opted for a home birth with a rental tub/pool. Nickolas was ready to come out and the tub was not going to be set up in time. I was disappointed about the tub but out he came about 20 mins later. We joke when people sit on the furniture near the spot where we had Nickolas on the living room floor. Their faces are priceless!!!

I'd only chose my wants over anyone else's unless my child would be in danger. I agree with listening to yourself and choose for yourself. Any doctor or midwife should respect your opinion. If they don't, then they are not the right person for you and your baby. Hope this helps.

I had 2 home births , both planned , my first was about a 2 hour labour, my midwife got there at 7.50 pm , my daughter was born at 8.24 pm, the second my lovely next door neighbour delivered my son , he arrived in 40 minutes , not enough time for any medical staff to be there !! she kindly stepped in and delivered my son, whilst we were both laughing at me still having my socks on !!. home birth is fantastic as long as mum and baby are both well and all is going normal , i would recommend it to anyone !!

Regarding the pre-eclampsia - I'm not sure I can really remember much. That was over 15 years ago. :) My midwife caught the symptoms early, though. I have naturally very low blood pressure. It had gone up significantly. I also was retaining water really bad (something that I do when preggo anyway, I discovered). She had me drinking lots of water, putting my feet up frequently, actually, I think she had me laying pretty low. not exactly on bed rest, but definitely off my feet. I wish I could remember what else. She had been practicing for 20 years and had delivered hundreds of babies. She was really good. I'm sorry I can't be more help.

Thats amazing! Dont sign me up for another surgery when I'm not there's no complication...give me a chance to let my body do its work..thats what we're built for..I'm glad she decided to try a homebirth!

Hi Latisha! Yes, my second child was born at home. While the hospital delivery of my first child wasn't "horrible" ... it left a lot to be desired! During delivery of my 2nd child, he was in a "brow" presentation - meaning he wouldn't tuck his chin to come OUT! Had we been in the hospital, I am SURE they would have at LEAST used forceps to force him out! I am so thankful I had midwives who were patient and allowed him the time he needed!!! I have a cousin who is currently expecting her 2nd child followed by a Cesarean ... her doctors told her she is high-risk and were already planning for the next cesarean - thankfully, she is intelligent enough to seek more information and is now planning a home birth! :)

I have had my first child in the hospital and did not have a horrible experience, but I did enjoy some of the hospital rules (like my child could not stay in my room with me the whole time). So with my second child I went with a birth center and midwife where I had a much more enjoyable experience and a water birth. With my third child, I chose to have him at home. I was not a bad experience, however there were a few minor complications during delivery, but not severe enough to go to the hospital (Thankfully).

I had my daughter at home, with the help of a midwife. It was an excellent experience, and I pushed for less then a half an hour. We used the water birth method, and it went very well for us. I would highly recommend it! Our midwife was fantastic, as well. A great experience overall, and it was wonderful to be home already.